Choosing where to stay in Krakow can make or break a city break. The city centre is compact and walkable, but each area has its own character – some are lively until the early hours, others are quiet and residential. Here is our honest guide to the best areas to stay in Krakow, with tips for first-time visitors, couples, families and anyone arriving by car.
In short: for a first visit, stay in or right next to the Old Town, so you can walk to the Main Market Square, Wawel Castle and Kazimierz. Choose Kazimierz if food and nightlife come first, Podgórze if you prefer somewhere quieter, and the area around the main station if you are planning lots of day trips by train.
Which area of Krakow should you stay in?
| Area | Best for | Atmosphere | Getting to the Main Market Square |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Town (inside the Planty) | first-time visitors, sightseeing | busy, historic, lively at night | a few minutes on foot |
| Just outside the Planty | couples, families, drivers | central but quiet | about 6 minutes on foot from Grand Ascot Hotel |
| Kazimierz | food, cafés, nightlife | artistic, loud at weekends | about 15–20 minutes on foot |
| Podgórze and Zabłocie | repeat visitors, a quieter stay | residential, modern | by tram or a longer walk |
| Near Kraków Główny | day trips by train or coach | practical, busy | about 10–15 minutes on foot |
The Old Town: best for a first visit
The Old Town (Stare Miasto) is the historic heart of Krakow, ringed by the Planty park where the medieval city walls once stood. Staying here puts the Main Market Square, the Cloth Hall, St Mary’s Basilica and the Royal Route to Wawel Castle on your doorstep, and you will rarely need public transport.
The trade-offs: the streets closest to the Main Market Square and Floriańska Street are busy day and night, prices tend to be higher, and driving into the Old Town is heavily restricted. If you are a light sleeper, look for accommodation on a side street rather than overlooking the square.
Just outside the Planty: central but quiet
The streets just beyond the Planty, on the edge of the Old Town, offer the best of both worlds. You are still within a few minutes’ walk of the Main Market Square, but the evenings are calmer and the neighbourhood feels more local. Trams run along the main roads nearby, so it’s easy to reach Kazimierz, Podgórze or the main station.
This is where you will find Grand Ascot Hotel, on quiet Szujskiego Street, 600 m – about a 6-minute walk – from the Main Market Square and just 3 minutes from the Planty. It’s also one of the easier parts of the centre for drivers: the hotel has its own underground car park, so there’s no need to search for a space. Read more about why it pays to stay near the Main Market Square.
Kazimierz: food, cafés and nightlife
Kazimierz, the historic Jewish quarter, is about a 20-minute walk south of the Old Town. It’s full of synagogues, galleries, vintage cafés and some of the best restaurants and bars in the city, with Plac Nowy at its heart. If you are coming for the food scene or a lively weekend with friends, it’s a great choice.
Bear in mind that the main streets of Kazimierz can be noisy late into the night, especially at weekends. For a quieter stay, many visitors prefer to sleep closer to the Old Town and spend their evenings in Kazimierz. Discover what to see in Kazimierz.
Podgórze and Zabłocie: quieter, across the river
Across the Vistula, Podgórze is a calmer, more residential district with some of Krakow’s most important sights: Oskar Schindler’s Factory, the MOCAK Museum of Contemporary Art and the Father Bernatek footbridge, which links it to Kazimierz. Neighbouring Zabłocie is home to modern apartment buildings and converted factories.
It suits travellers who have been to Krakow before or who want a quieter base, but you will rely more on trams or longer walks to reach the Old Town. See more of Krakow’s most interesting districts.
Near the main station: handy for day trips
The area around Kraków Główny, the main railway and coach station, is practical rather than charming. Trains to the airport and to Wieliczka leave from here, and coaches run to Oświęcim and Zakopane, so it makes sense if you are planning several day trips. The large Galeria Krakowska shopping centre is right next to the station, and the Old Town is a short walk away through the Planty.
Planning a trip out of the city? Read our guide to visiting Auschwitz and Wieliczka from Krakow.
Which area is right for you?
- First visit to Krakow: the Old Town or just outside the Planty.
- Couples and a romantic weekend: a quiet street near the Old Town, with Kazimierz for dinner.
- Families with children: close to the Planty and the Old Town, away from the nightlife – see our tips for Krakow with kids.
- Food and nightlife: Kazimierz.
- Arriving by car: outside the Old Town’s restricted zone, ideally with on-site parking.
- Lots of day trips: near the main station, or anywhere central with good tram links.
Only have a weekend? Our ready-made plan for Krakow in 2 days will help you make the most of it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Old Town and the streets just outside the Planty. From here you can walk to the Main Market Square, Wawel Castle and Kazimierz without needing public transport.
The Old Town is better for sightseeing and a first visit; Kazimierz is better for food and nightlife. Many visitors stay near the Old Town and spend their evenings in Kazimierz, about a 20-minute walk away.
Yes. The Old Town is compact, and most of the main sights are within a 20-minute walk of the Main Market Square. Trams are a quick way to reach Podgórze and the outer districts.
Driving into the Old Town is heavily restricted, and parking in the centre is limited. If you are arriving by car, choose accommodation with its own parking. At Grand Ascot Hotel, our underground car park costs PLN 120 per night and must be reserved in advance.
The hotel is 600 m from the Main Market Square, about a 6-minute walk.
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